Summary: GLP-1 receptor agonists are important group of medications used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These medications stimulate insulin secretion and reduce glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, improve satiety and promote weight loss.
There are available long acting GLP-1 receptor agonist administered once weekly (dulaglutide, exenatide extended-release and semaglutide) and short acting (liraglutide and lixisenatide are administered once daily, and exenatide available in a twice-daily formulation).
In this review we present the results of randomized trials with GLP-1 receptor agonist with proven cardiovascular benefit and the actual recommendation of Polish Guidelines on the management of diabetic patients.
These medications are recommended as a first injectable medications in patients with type 2 diabetes, usually in patient with cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis and in patients with obesity.